Telangana Elections: Dial toll-free number 1950 for poll-related queries/complaints

Hyderabad: The polling officials have created a toll-free round-the-clock voter helpline 1950 for Telangana voters to call and file a query or complaint on poll-related issues.

The same facility is also available for download as a Voter Helpline app on the Google Play Store and on the voters’ service portal. The voter helpline number and app will especially be of help to senior citizens and people with disabilities (PwD).

By calling the helpline number, senior citizens and PwDs can get information or assistance regarding their queries and requests related to polling.

Transport to polling stations

“If they want to visit the polling booths to cast their votes, they can request for transport facility, which will be provided from their homes to the polling booths on the day of election. The customer-care executives handling the helpline number will guide them about the procedures,” said a spokesperson from the state electoral office.

The helpline number is accessible to citizens from any part of the country, who can call in English or Hindi at any time of day or night with any query or complaint. Callers can enquire on subjects such as elections, voting dates, EPIC (electors' photo identity card or Voter ID card), electoral roll, online registration and lodge a complaint by simply dialling the toll-free number. Not only this, executives can also make outbound calls to educate the electors and spread voter awareness.

Voters can also avail of the SMS service in 1950 if they want to know more about their EPIC. For this purpose, SMS space to 1950. For example, if the EPIC is 12345678, then SMS ECI 12345678 to 1950.

However, senior citizens above 80 years of age and PwDs above 40 per cent disability can choose to vote from the comforts of their homes too.

Voting from home

For the first time in Telangana, around 4.43 lakh senior citizens above the age of 80 years and persons with disabilities (PWD) of 40 per cent and above can vote from home with a special postal ballot facility.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling officials will visit their homes to enable them to cast their votes and privacy will be maintained by making a compartment like those made in polling booths. The senior citizens and PwDs can apply to vote from their homes by filling up Form 12D within five days of the issue of gazette notification, which is on November 3, 2023.